PHOENIX – Phoenix Rising FC announced on Monday the club had re-signed goalkeeper Patrick Rakovsky ahead of the 2024 USL Championship season. The transaction is pending league and federation approval.

“I am really happy to re-sign with Phoenix Rising,” said Rakovsky. “When I first signed with the team last year, I said Phoenix needs a star over its crest. Now we need to add a second one. We have a great team, a great coaching staff and great fans. We will do everything we can to get our second star in 2024.”

Rakovsky served as the backup to USL Championship Final MVP Rocco Rios Novo throughout the season and made nine saves in four appearances across all competitions throughout the season. The 30-year-old had previously competed in the Championship for Orange County SC, with which he claimed the 2021 USL Championship title while making 55 appearances across two seasons for the club.

A native of Germany, Rakovsky began his career with Bundesliga side Nürnberg in 2011, appearing in a total of 94 matches between the Bundesliga (8), 2. Bundesliga (31), and Regionalliga (55) from 2011 to 2016. He has also previously competed in Finland and Belgium prior to his move to Orange County.

Analysis

With Rocco Rios Novo’s loan from Lanus coming to an end, Patrick Rakovsky is the lone current goalkeeper on Rising FC’s roster, and while he’ll be joined this preseason by other options the 30-year-old will offer a veteran option and good locker room presence in his second season with the club.

Rakovsky found a high level of performance in his 2021 campaign with Orange County SC when he posted 11 of his 13 shutouts in the Championship and a save percentage of 75.9 percent across the regular season and playoffs. Since then, his save percentage has been below 65 percent over the past two seasons, and if called on he’ll be aiming to raise that up to a higher standard.